Love Songs from the Outskirts of Bliss

Jonathan Pointer is a son of Missouri. Raised and educated by Methodists, his early career included turns as a state mental hospital attendant, a dog-catcher, a pizza deliverer, a door to door meat seller and a House Manager at Carnegie Hall. These are the experiences from which are drawn the off-centered, provocative and surprisingly touching stories that are his music. The comparisons come quickly: Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen. Such similarities are born of his gritty voice, the esoteric subject matter, and songs that provide a telescopic view of the building across the street in a world that is 'hardly the utopian legacy our parents had in mind.' Such comparisons only serve to reveal the originality of an artist The Washington Post called an 'Americana folk hero'. Jonathan Pointer has appeared on CBS's 'Off 10th,' and Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.' His most recent CD, 'Love Songs from the Outskirts of Bliss', produced by Crit Harmon (Martin Sexton, Mary Gauthier, and Lorrie McKenna), is a fitting follow-up to his critically aclaimed debut CD, 'Scarecrows Burn.' He currently resides in Los Angeles with his son, Harry, his dog, Lulu, and Ella the cat. __ 'With his second record, 'Love Songs From the Outskirts of Bliss,' Jonathan Pointer produces haunting portraits of love, self-doubt, and the passage time, all delivered with a wit, wisdom, and sense of craft and focus that sets him apart from the usual pack of singer/songwriters. ...a truly impressive second outing - poignant, intelligent, and sophisticated.' Brett Hartenbach, All Music Guide, March 2002.